Predators unload a veteran in advance of NHL trade deadline

With hours to go before the National Hockey League’s trade deadline, the Nashville Predators sent defenseman Scott Hannan to the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday for a late-round draft pick.

Hannan signed as a free agent with Nashville during the offseason and appeared in 29 games. He has been on injured reserve since last weekend and has not played since March 17 because of an upper body injury. He has no goals, one assist and a team-worst minus-11 rating.

The Predators received a seventh-round pick in this year’s draft from the Sharks. The pick becomes a sixth-rounder if Hannan appears in the playoffs.

The 34-year-old spent his first eight NHL seasons with San Jose, which drafted him 23rd overall in 1997. He also spent time with Colorado, Washington and Calgary before he came to Nashville.